Moros i cristians

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For other uses, see Moros y cristianos (disambiguation).

Moros i Cristians (in Catalan) or Moros y Cristianos (in Spanish), literally means "Moors and Christians", and is a set of festival activities which are celebrated in many towns and cities of Spain, principally in the Land of Valencia, to commemorate the battles, combats and fights between Moors (or Muslims) and Christians during the period known as Reconquista (from the 8th century through the 15th century).

The festivals represent the capture of the city by the Moors and the subsequent Christian reconquest. The people that take part in the festival are usually enlisted in filaes or comparsas (companies that represent the Christian or Moor legions) and, for several days, they parade with costumes inspired in Medieval fashion: Christians wear furs, metallic helmets, armors, ride horses and shoot with loud arquebuses; in contrast, Moors wear ancient Arab costumes, scimitars and ride real camels or elephants. The festival develops among shots of gunpowder, medieval music and fireworks, and ends with a simulated battle around a castle that the Christians win.

The most well-known Moros i Cristians festival is the one which is celebrated in Alcoi, around Sant Jordi (Saint George) day, in April. As the legend is told, when James I of Aragon reconquered the city of Alicante, the Moors got quite angry and tried to recover it some years after. But, when they were about to start the battle again, Saint George miraculously appeared to the Moors, who were frightened away.

Other remarkable Moros y Cristians festivals are celebrated in the towns of Biar, Cocentaina, Crevillent, El Campello, Elda, Muro d'Alcoi, Ontinyent, Oriola, Petrer, Villena and some districts of Alacant city. The most ancient festival is celebrated in Caudete (Albacete), dated from 1588.

External links

• [Unión Nacional de Entidades Festeras de Moros y Cristianos], Web page of the official organism, in Spanish.
• [Fotos Moros y Cristianos], Pictures of Moros i Cristians festival in Villajoyosa.
• [Alcoy Foto] Pictures of Alcoy and La fiesta de moros y cristianos in Alcoy.
• [Moros i Cristians of Alcoi].

 

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